By Alisa Orlova
Copyright kyivpost
“We cannot go another day without directly addressing the plank in our own eye, without addressing the problems in our own commands and formations,” Hegseth said.
He said the department would remove identity-focused programs, diversity offices, and other initiatives he called divisive or distracting.
“As I’ve said before, and will say again, we are done with that,” he added.
President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak after Hegseth at the event in Quantico, Virginia.
The sheer size, scope, and last-minute nature of the assembly have raised eyebrows among defense analysts, particularly given that military leaders are being asked to leave their stations, including conflict zones, on short notice.
At one point, Hegseth also lashed out at the Pentagon’s inspector general — whose office is investigating his conduct — accusing it of being politicized and giving leverage to “ideologues and poor performers.” He argued that lasting reform is impossible without replacing the senior figures who, in his view, entrenched the current culture.
Since taking office for a second term, President Donald Trump has overseen a sweeping turnover in top military leadership. He abruptly dismissed General Charles “CQ” Brown, then-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, earlier this year, along with the heads of the Navy, Coast Guard, National Security Agency, and Defense Intelligence Agency, as well as other senior commanders and military lawyers.
Hegseth defended the shake-up, saying change could not be achieved with the same leaders who helped create the problems.
What is the meeting about?
Despite the extraordinary effort and disruption required to convene hundreds of top commanders from around the world, the Pentagon has provided scant details.
Hegseth’s office confirmed last week only that he “will be addressing his senior military leaders,” offering no specifics on the agenda.
Trump, however, downplayed any potential drama Sunday, telling NBC News the gathering is “really just a very nice meeting talking about how well we’re doing militarily” and a simple matter of “esprit de corps.”
